King Seeley Thermos Fonz lunchbox

The King Seeley Thermos Fonz lunchbox is a vintage lunchbox based on the character of the Fonz from the U.S television show ‘Happy days’.

Background

The Fonz, A.K.A Arthur Fonzarelli, was a character in the hit U.S sitcom ‘Happy Days’ which ran for 11 seasons from 1974 until 1984. The character, as played by Henry Winkler, was initially created as a minor character but proved to be the break-out star of the series.

The Fonz eventually became the show’s central character, and was the focus for much of the related merchandise produced during the mid-late 1970s. This included a highly successful action figure produced by Mego, child-sized Fonzie imitation leather jackets and a lunchbox first produced in 1976 by King Seeley Thermos.

The King Seeley Thermos Fonz lunchbox

The box has a red rim and handle, with graphics featuring the characters on the front, back and sides. The front of the box shows The Fonz sat on his motorcycle with his trademark ‘two thumbs up’. This image also appears on the front of the 1976 Happy Days lunchbox, but with Richie and Potsie stood in the background.

The reverse of the box features The Fonz embracing a woman whilst Richie and Potsie sit in the diner in the foreground. This image is identical on both the Fonz and Happy Days boxes.

The sides of both boxes feature the same graphics of a pinball machine, high-school flags and cars parked outside Arnold’s Drive-In.

How much is a King Seeley Thermos Fonz lunchbox worth?

The boxes are popular with collectors, but a large number were made between 1976 and 1978 due to the popularity of both the series and the character. This means they are relatively easy to find, resulting in lower market prices than other boxes of the period.

However, top-condition examples complete with their thermos flasks can still sell for up to $100 on some occasions, with average prices for used boxes on eBay ranging from $20 - $50 depending on their condition.